Need help deciding on dining plan

[loveDmouse]

Right now we have the Yacht Club booked with a AAA discount. This discount saves us about $420. If I get the package, of course, I lose the AAA discount. With losing the discount and adding the regular dining plan it would cost us close to $1,100. I was thinking it wasn't worth it but I am just not sure. Going in Mid-November.

I am having a hard time figuring out if it is worth it. It is my husband and myself. We enjoy sitting down for a dinner. We aren't in a rush at the parks as this will be our 4th year in a row although we have always brought our motorhome and stayed at Fort Wilderness where we would fix some of our own meals and never eat breakfast out.

We would probably eat at LTT, Yachtsman, LeCellier, Cape May Clam Bake,
50's PTC, Mama Melrose. Not sure about the others as I keep changing my mind.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I have to admit that I have not been thinking about the snacks and refillable mug and I guess I should really be figuring those into my calculations too.

I am starting to make myself a little crazy.

 

[TDC Nala]

You may not lose the AAA room discount if you add the dining plan. You will lose it if you book a free dining promotion package. I believe a package with a discount has to be booked through AAA though. Call an AAA agent and ask if you can book a package with tickets, dining and an AAA room discount.

Remember that if you book the regular (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 snack per night) dining plan, it does not include a refillable mug.

 

[loveDmouse]

Yeah, I know if I book through Disney I could get it but the few people I checked with at AAA didn't seem to know much about Disney. I knew way more then them so it made me doubt some of the stuff they were telling me regarding reservations. I have just always made my Disney ressies on my own and actually the prices I got from Disney with my AAA discount were better than what AAA quoted me.

Thanks for telling me about the refillable mug. I guess I was thinking of the deluxe.

 

[RahRah573]

If you're going during free dining, you can upgrade to the DxDP for the difference in cost between the DDP and DxDP ($32 per adult, $10 per child). The quickest way to see if booking the free dining through Disney is less expensive is to go through the reservation section of Disney's website and see how much it comes to with the ticket requirement and before you upgrade to DxDP.....you'll definitely pay more for the room, but depending on the length of your stay and how many are going, the free dining offer may be better than the AAA discount. You just have to do the math and compare apples to apples.

 

[dhardawa]

We booked through AAA two years ago and were able to get their discount and the DDP. Definitely check with them again.

 

[hardlabor]

I do not know when you are going, we are going in Dec 09 and staying at BWV. We booked through our Boston AAA, as a package. We saved about $500 on our villa, and was able to book it a a package with tickets and dining plan. I compared prices with Disney online and apples for apples the savings was over the $500.00. Also booked my flight through them and saved about $50/ticket. Call back until you get someone who knows what they are talking about!

 

[loveDmouse]

Sorry I forgot to say we are going in mid November.

I am hoping they extend the free dining. I understand that last year Disney Visa card holders were able to get free dining (that was something that was released in September) and if they do that this year that would be great. It would be worth it.

I am just wondering if they don't extend/offer free dining if it is worth it. We sometimes will split an appetizer and most of the time we are too full for desert. I just don't know. My figures have me saving close to $300 over getting the package with dining and our park hoppers. I went through the menus & picked what I thought we would eat.

We figure it will cost of $90 a day on average to eat. Does that sound about right to you guys? It is just the 2 of us.



Thanks for all the help.

 

[loveDmouse]

Ok, I think I am going to pull my hair out now. Does this make everyone crazy or am I just thinking to much?

I thought appetizer was included but now I see that it is only for ages 3-9.

I guess I keep mixing up the dining plan and the deluxe dinning plan. I hope they add free dining then I don't have to worry about it.

 

[hardlabor]

Free dining sure would be nice! We have never been able to take advantage of it because we always go in December, and I have never seen free dining in December. Oh Well.... If only they gave you a choice of Apps OR Dessert, that would make it so much better!

We love the free dining, it seems as though it is a break even, but at least we can go,and not have to worry about keeping on a food budget once we get there. We have a DD (12) who surprises us with ordering lobster, filet etc... this way I am not inclined to say no! She can eat to her hearts content!

Good luck with making up your mind! Something I can never do

 

[robinb]

They changed the DDP a couple of years ago. It used to include the app *and* tip but not any longer . The standard DDP includes 1 Table Service meal, 1 Counter Service meal and 1 snack per person per day. Taxes are included but NOT tips.

Since you go every year, do you have an Annual Pass? If not, would you be able to schedule your 2010 trip before an AP would expire? The reason I ask is because of the Tables in Wonderland discount card which is available to Annual Pass holders. It costs $75 but you get 20% off of most TS restaurants (all of the ones on your list at least!) for food and beverages ... including alcohol. You may purchased your TiW card right there at WDW so you don't have to order it early.

You also might want to just keep your reservation and hang loose until mid August. The free DDP was extended though late December last year at about that time.

 

[robinb]

Free dining sure would be nice! We have never been able to take advantage of it because we always go in December, and I have never seen free dining in December.

I had free dining last December. We stayed at All Star Movies from 12/20 - 12/24 and received free dining .

 

[TDC Nala]

Ok, I think I am going to pull my hair out now. Does this make everyone crazy or am I just thinking to much?

I thought appetizer was included but now I see that it is only for ages 3-9.

I guess I keep mixing up the dining plan and the deluxe dinning plan. I hope they add free dining then I don't have to worry about it.

Appetizer is for 3-9 only on the regular plan - and they are restricted to the children's menu, where the "appetizer" is something like raw veggies, a small salad or a small cup of soup. Kids can't order appetizers from the regular menu. On the deluxe plan everyone is entitled to an appetizer at lunch and dinner TS (no appetizers at breakfast)

If you got free dining last December, you were either a Disney Visa cardholder or you received a targeted PIN number offer - there was no general public free dining offer for November or December 2008.

 

[loveDmouse]

They changed the DDP a couple of years ago. It used to include the app *and* tip but not any longer . The standard DDP includes 1 Table Service meal, 1 Counter Service meal and 1 snack per person per day. Taxes are included but NOT tips.

Since you go every year, do you have an Annual Pass? If not, would you be able to schedule your 2010 trip before an AP would expire? The reason I ask is because of the Tables in Wonderland discount card which is available to Annual Pass holders. It costs $75 but you get 20% off of most TS restaurants (all of the ones on your list at least!) for food and beverages ... including alcohol. You may purchased your TiW card right there at WDW so you don't have to order it early.

You also might want to just keep your reservation and hang loose until mid August. The free DDP was extended though late December last year at about that time.

We haven't purchased Annual Passes before because we never could go twice in one year. We usually go the same time each year. If I had known we would move up the dates I could have gone that route last year.

I am hoping for the Disney Visa free dining. I am going to just make my ressies and see how things go. OR 40% off pin code would be nice then I'd be saving even more money and not worry about the dining plan.

 

[hardlabor]

I had never heard of a free dining plan in December, that would make my day!!!I am also a Visa holder so I will keep my fingers crossed. Was is a general public discount or code or Visa? Too many questions, I know, story of my life!

 

[TDC Nala]

I had never heard of a free dining plan in December, that would make my day!!!I am also a Visa holder so I will keep my fingers crossed. Was is a general public discount or code or Visa? Too many questions, I know, story of my life!

Last year the offers for dates in late October, November and December were only for Disney Visa cardholders or recipients of targeted PIN code offers. It was not a general public offer.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks for all the responses.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for free dining for Disney Visa Cardholders or a lovely 40% off resort pin code by email or regular mail. I'm not picky. Come on Mickey!